The State of Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) is administering the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the 2023 wildfire disaster (DR-4724). The notice of intent to apply for this funding opportunity is due to HI-EMA by 4:30pm HST on August 1, 2024. HMGP provides funding (25% local match, cash or in-kind, required) to counties and certain private non-profits after a Presidentially declared disaster. More information is online. A graphic of the Governor’s mitigation funding priorities for DR-4724 is below.
On July 2, 2024, FEMA selected 656 projects nationwide for $1 billion in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants from fiscal year 2023 funding. These projects help state and local governments become more resilient to natural hazards. The top project type is flood control (almost $400 million for 28 projects) and almost 30% of the planned funding is within FEMA Region 9 (Hawai'i, California, Arizona, Nevada and the Pacific Territories). FEMA’s announcement aligns with its 2024 Year of Resilience theme to build capacity to withstand tomorrow’s risks, and was announced several months earlier than last year.
In addition to funding, BRIC provides Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) to support early project implementation and mitigation planning. Three territories and 67 communities were selected in July 2024 for BRIC DTA. This initiative now provides technical, non-financial assistance to 167 recipients including the City and County of Honolulu to scope a grant to build a Resilience Hub to serve as a new community center.